Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner enters his fourth season with a lot at stake both for him and the 49ers. His career-high 12 sacks and first Pro Bowl invitation last year have him poised for a lucrative contract extension.
With a stronger supporting cast, Buckner, 25, is also potentially lined up for his first playoff push, as long as he doesn’t let NFC West quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray duck under his grasp (more on that below).
Here are nine questions for him.
1. Have you gotten, dare I say, stronger?
I feel I’ve leaned up a lot.